KEEPING CONNECTED
Unprecedented global events rarely make it to Aotearoa’s shores, but what happens when they do?
When life at Rangi Ruru was swiftly upended by Covid-19, staff sprang into action to ensure their girls were supported. The eventual return to campus has been different for each girl, and Rangi made sure to accommodate this with flexibility through the transition to the ‘new normal’ of late.
Avenues sat down with Dr Sandra Hastie, the Principal of Rangi Ruru, to reflect on the school’s navigation through Covid-19 and what lies in the months ahead for the students.
It has been a tumultuous year so far, how are you?
I am well, thank you. Covid-19 has taught us all a lot. It has caused us to slow down, reconnect with our families and think about new ways of working. For us as a school this means reconsidering how we learn and teach which has been, and will continue to be, an interesting process.
As a country, I am (and believe we all should be) so proud of all that we have achieved collectively and in such a short space of time. Christchurch as a city has certainly had its fair share of crises, however, it is a city that shows incredible resilience and tenacity to regrow and join together, and I know that as a community we will get through this challenge.
The last few months must have been challenging for your students and staff; how did you ensure the girls felt confident to be themselves and a part of the school community remotely?
Our students are at the centre of all that we do, and are the basis of the decisions that we made during the lockdown and beyond. We began by discussing how we were going to ensure that every student felt connected during this time, and the wrap around wellbeing programme that we could provide to ensure this. We made a conscious decision to balance the amount of online teacher directed time with self-directed learning, as well as ensuring that the girls still had time to relax, exercise and be with their families. Our student leaders were amazing and ran competitions, physical challenges and daily updates to keep the school connected also.
What has been your focus since having the girls back on campus?
It has been about celebrating being back together, recognising that for some there is still some anxiety, and allowing each girl to have space and time to reconnect.
We chose to have a transitional first week back, staying on the remote learning timetable to cater for those students who were yet to return, and also to allow for connecting and wellbeing time. Being able to talk and reflect on our experiences was valuable.
Moving forward it has been about live streaming assemblies and chapels and looking at other ways to run events. Our PE, Sports, Performing Arts and Music departments all worked out plans to be able to operate within the constraints and this helped us have more of a sense of normality.
It was important to us that despite the disappointments of cancelled trips and events, we focussed on gratitude and thanks for what we have. The students have written thank you cards to their teachers and the staff, and put together a video to say thanks to our amazing essential service workers.
One thing you’re busy with is getting back into your sustainability efforts. Why does Rangi place such emphasis on sustainability?
It is important we allow our youth to build the world their children will live in. What is most exciting about our sustainability focus is that it is led by our students, and they are initiating the change. Our job as leaders and teachers is to stand alongside them and guide them if and when required. Being carbon neutral as a school for the last few years has been a huge amount of work for our students and teachers, leading our school into the future, and we are very proud!
Rangi Ruru Open Week
Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July